“Yes, well, since the Behemoth is in its human form or forms, your power is not so useful now. But if it tries to shift then we will see something, Caden,” Illarion said, acknowledging in kind that Caden and Iolaire’s gift was a powerful one to be respected.
You did well in that, Valerius sent to Caden.
If Illarion could just move that chip off his shoulder he’d be a lot happier and a lot less of a dick! Caden remarked.
Valerius had to hide his laughter under a cough.
The three of them headed to the garage and piled into one of the bland SUVs with tinted windows. Valerius drove though there was a moment when he and Illarion had a stare down when they reached the driver’s side door at the same time.
“Guys, knock it off or I’ll drive. Considering I’m the one who knows where Landry’s house is I probably should be driving,” Caden had reminded them as he slipped into the passenger compartment.
“Fine! You drive, Valerius. I will treat you as I do my chauffeur!” Illarion grinned and hopped into the back while Valerius got into the driver’s seat.
“You do that and you will be walking to Landry’s,” Valerius growled.
“I will fly!” Illarion laughed.
“I know you’re just, ah, teasing each other or whatever,” Caden said uncertainly, “but, Illarion, we really can’t let them know we’re around unless something happens and we have to step in. In fact, if we can somehow pretend we don’t know what’s happened to them… that would be best.”
“Just three boys on the town, eh? It’s been some time. But how do we explain what we’re doing at your friend’s house?” Illarion asked.
“Condolences,” Caden reminded him. “I thought she was dead.”
“She may be still, you know?” Illarion’s voice was not unkind. It was more of a gentle warning. “She’s been in the Spirit Realm. Her body may have been the only thing to come back.”
Caden’s head lowered as he clicked his seatbelt on. “I know, but this is more hope than I had five minutes ago. I’m just trying to keep an open mind.”
Valerius and Illarion shared a look. It was not something that they often did as Valerius, admittedly, thought of Illarion as too stupid to understand most things. But pain and loss were something that every Dragon Shifter knew well. In that look, Illarion was saying, “He may be disappointed. It will be bad. But we will be there for him.”
Valerius made a small nod, accepting the offer of sympathy and help for Caden. He started up the engine and pulled out of the parking space. He drove towards one of the secret interior roads that would empty them out into the Mid.
The Green Dragon King, in contrast to Caden, did not put on his seatbelt. Instead, he rested his elbows on both of their seats and leaned forward between them to practically be a third passenger in the first row.
“So,” Illarion began as he leaned further forward to fiddle with the radio. Valerius slapped his hand away and growled low in his throat when he reached again. Illarion instead started to tap a rhythm on Valerius’ seat. “What are we going to do if we find Landry and her brothers at home? If we attack the Behemoth when in its shifted form, it explodes and goodbye Reach.”
“Not an option,” Valerius replied tartly.
“Yes, unfortunately,” Illarion said, but Valerius saw the teasing grin in the rearview mirror.
“Take a right here,” Caden said as they entered one of the quiet residential streets in the Mid.
Valerius did.
“So do we imprison them?” Illarion continued on. “Perhaps the Behemoth cannot transform unless all its little itty, bitty pieces come together.”
Valerius frowned. “Could it be so easy?”
“Maybe the part of the Spirit can just leave them and move onto others,” Caden said. “Iolaire doesn’t think it's bonded to all of those people.”
“No, they are not worthy,” Illarion agreed and his tapping increased.
“I will rip your arm off if you don’t stop,” Valerius told him pointedly.
Illarion grimaced, but the tapping ceased.
“I tend to agree about Landry’s brothers, but… Landry--”
“She was eager to betray you. She is weak,” Illarion charged.
